This blog will explain the Golden Mean, Golden Ratio and Golden Section. These terms all refer to the same phenomenon. They reflect a regularly occurring proportional ratio in nature that can be included in your art to achieve effective composition. The Golden Section is a mathematical ratio commonly found in nature, which is the ratio... Read More
What are Planes? How do I see planes? In this blog you will heighten your art education by learning how to see planes. Students often can't decipher separate planes on a subject, which weakens the structural strength of their work. It is important to be aware of planes and to see them clearly.... Read More
Glazing and Scumbling in Oil Painting David A Leffel What is glazing in painting? What is scumbling in painting? When do artists use glazing in the oil painting process? When is it appropriate to use the process of scumbling? Enhancing an oil painting with the use of glazing is a useful tool. Understanding the... Read More
Sennelier makes a wonderful pastel card in some lovely colors—a range of warm browns and ivory. I use vine charcoal initially and add contè—both white and red—to capture the illusion of the subject. The surface is relatively delicate and cannot have any liquid applied to the surface. But you can... Read More
Sherries' Studio Wall Color Formula I have had so many requests for the color on my studio walls, that I decided to post the formula here. At one time, there was a standard color that worked, but not any longer. I had a local paint store do a custom mix, and... Read More
How do I clean oil paint out of my brushes? Improper washing of your oil painting brushes is not only harmful to the brushes, it also becomes very costly in the long run. So often students have trouble cleaning paint out of the metal ferrule of the brush, which can cause... Read More
Values in Painting and Drawing Why are values important in a painting? Why does my painting look grey? This blog will talk about how an artist can simplify values. Most people don't take advantage of the power of strong, simple values. Consequently, their paintings are weak and don't read from across the room.... Read More
